Bastille’s Story｜From Sierra Leone to Hong Kong: How a Foreign Engineer Puts Down Roots in His Second Home

On Sep 15, 2026

Originally from Sierra Leone, a Belt and Road country, engineer Fakeh Moses has steadily forged his own path in Hong Kong, a city he now calls his second home. With solid professional expertise, he has contributed his technical skills to multiple infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, witnessing the city’s growth and transformation through his dedication and hard work. Beyond his professional duties, Moses also volunteers as a mentor in the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme, where he listens to, accompanies, and helps ethnic minority youth from underprivileged backgrounds overcome daily challenges, encouraging them to face life with a positive attitude. For his contributions, the HKSAR Government presented Moses with the Active Participation Award under the Programme.

Moses, who is currently doing his part in constructing Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis, told the Bastille Post that Hong Kong has become his “second home.” Over the years, he has felt the city’s resilience and vitality in its relentless pursuit of development. Looking ahead, he hopes to bring this momentum back to his hometown, Sierra Leone, inspiring more local young people to strive forward.

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Fakeh Moses, Photo by Bastille Post

Beyond his frontline efforts, Moses also actively absorbed management and coordination experience, turning each task into a driving factor of professional growth. Photo by Bastille Post

The Hyderabad International Airport – Passenger Terminal Building, Photo source: CSHK

Dubai Sport City, Photo source: CSHK

For Moses, a construction project is not merely about building well; it is also about spending funds where they can deliver the greatest value. Photo by Bastille Post

CSHK actively encourages the employees to participate in the Strive and Rise Programme. Photo source: CSHK

In December 2025, Moses (third from right, front row) was presented with the Active Participation Award by Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Chan Kwok-ki, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to volunteer service. Photo source: CSHK

Moses noted that CSHK strongly supports employees in volunteering and provides volunteer leave, allowing staff to serve the community. Photo source: CSHK

CSHK staff actively take part in volunteer service, sharing warmth with those in need. Photo source: CSHK

The planning schematic of the “Improvement Works of Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung Portion) and Associated Works” project, Photo by Bastille Post

The construction site of the “Improvement Works of Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung Portion) and Associated Works” project, Photo by Bastille Post

With Moses and his team members working hand in hand to advance the project, the travel blueprint for Northern Metropolis residents is gradually becoming a reality. Photo by Bastille Post

Moses and his teammates will conduct on-site inspections to monitor the project’s progress. Photo by Bastille Post

The Northern Metropolis, Photo source: reference image

Craftsmanship in Projects, Expertise through Practice

Fakeh Moses studied engineering at a Mainland Chinese university before joining China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited (CSHK) in 2017. He has since contributed to a range of local infrastructure projects, including the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant, the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel, and the Central – Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel. His performance earned him the corporation’s recognition and an overseas posting to India and Dubai, where he helped deepen CSHK’s international business footprint.

Recalling his past experiences, Moses said one Chinese New Year holiday stood out. To maintain project progress, he gave up time with his family and stayed on site with colleagues to overcome scheduling pressures. Although the extra work cost him a festive reunion, he felt deeply gratified watching the plans on paper take shape in a short time. “That was something I was pleased to do,” he said. “It was an honor, and I wanted to make a contribution, so I was willing to do that.”

Beyond his frontline efforts, Moses also actively absorbed management and coordination experience, turning each task into a driving factor of professional growth. During his time in India and Dubai, he handled contract coordination for projects including the Hyderabad International Airport – Passenger Terminal Building, Dubai Sport City, and Dubai Mall Hotel, working closely with local partners to ensure contract terms could be accurately implemented.

In Moses’ view, these overseas experiences not only broadened his project management perspective and exposed him to different market environments and industry standards, but also laid a solid foundation for his subsequent return to Hong Kong as a Senior Contract Manager. He noted that working across cultures helped him adapt to different market rules, respond flexibly, as well as communicate and coordinate more effectively, balancing the interests of all parties with project goals.

As an engineer by training, Moses initially focused on technical details and construction quality, prioritising how to build projects more solidly and safely. But after transitioning to contract manager, he gradually developed a holistic mindset, learning to integrate cost control and risk management into the interests of all stakeholders. “You need to know how to coordinate different parties’ needs and expectations to ensure rational allocation of project funds.” This taught him that the goal of an engineering project is not just to build well, but to spend funds wisely, finding a balance between quality and economic efficiency, coordinating diverse demands, and ensuring projects deliver both quality and cost-effectiveness.

In the Name of Mentorship, Lighting Up Young Lives Through Companionship

Outside of work, Moses actively dedicates his spare time to volunteer service in Hong Kong, extending care to young people around him. With CSHK’s support, he signed up for the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme, serving as a mentor to ethnic minority youth from underprivileged backgrounds. He listens to the challenges they face in daily life and encourages them to embrace life with a positive attitude.

Moses shared a heartwarming story. He recounted that the mother of one programme participant once called him when her child was experiencing psychological distress, hoping he could promptly reach out to the child and help relieve the pressure. Moses was deeply moved that the parent thought of him when her child needed help most. Even though he is not a professional psychological counsellor, his willingness to accompany the children and listen to their concerns led parents to see him as someone they could rely on, a trust he considers a treasured responsibility.

It was this sincere dedication, the support and companionship he offered to the youth, that earned Moses recognition from the HKSAR Government. In December 2025, he was presented with the Active Participation Award by Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Chan Kwok-ki, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to volunteer service.

Moses was delighted by the unexpected honour. “What I do is just small things, not very big. It’s nothing like rocket science. It’s just a little bit of kindness, a little bit of help and a little bit of my time.” He expressed deep gratitude for the Government’s recognition and thanked CSHK for providing him the opportunity to join the programme, enabling him to contribute to society despite his busy work schedule.

He noted that CSHK strongly supports employees in volunteering and provides volunteer leave, allowing staff to serve the community. This has given colleagues greater motivation to spread warmth throughout society. Moses said he will continue to fulfil his role as a mentor, hoping to accompany more children and light the way forward for young people in need.

Building the Northern Metropolis Transport Hub, Hoping to Give Back to Hometown Youth

In the “Improvement Works of Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung Portion) and Associated Works” project currently undertaken by CSHK, Moses is responsible for negotiating various related contracts to ensure the project progresses steadily within the contractual framework. As a Senior Contract Manager, he not only balances the interests of all parties, effectively controls costs and maximises the value of funds, but also contributes to the development of the Northern Metropolis.

“My job is like being a guide, enabling my colleagues to steadily advance construction progress and effectively mitigate potential risks,” Moses said. He noted that the Kwu Tung Portion of Fanling Highway is located in the core area of the Kwu Tung North New Development Area and plays a critical strategic role in the future transport network of the Northern Metropolis. For him, every coordination of funds and every finalisation of a contract lays the foundation for the transport network of the Northern Metropolis, giving him greater motivation and a sense of mission, as he hopes to gradually witness the grand vision of the Northern Metropolis move from blueprint to reality.

Asked about his expectations for the Northern Metropolis’s development, Moses said it can inject strong momentum into Hong Kong’s future development, effectively bringing more research, entrepreneurship and job opportunities to the city, enabling more overseas talents who harbour dreams like him to realise their personal value in Hong Kong through their professional knowledge and experience, making the city’s development ever more prosperous. He is full of confidence in the Northern Metropolis’s future development and looks forward to more talents from around the world converging in the area, driving it to become a new engine for Hong Kong’s future economic growth.

Looking ahead, Moses hopes to have the opportunity to give back what he has gained in Hong Kong to his hometown, Sierra Leone, inspiring more local young people to strive forward. He particularly mentioned that Hong Kong’s resilience and vitality in its relentless pursuit of development are key factors enabling the city to stand out on the international stage.

In his view, Hong Kong is a city that changes with each passing day and progresses constantly. The current construction momentum of the Northern Metropolis is precisely a manifestation of this innovative spirit. To gain an advantage in future development, one should learn to advance with the times and pursue continuous innovation. He hopes this will not only drive his own continuous growth, but also inspire more young people in Sierra Leone to be proactive and strive to become better versions of themselves.

New York ETO strengthens economic, academic and cultural ties and promotes talent admission schemes in Atlanta

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) strengthened economic, academic and cultural ties and promoted talent admission schemes in Atlanta through hosting high-level meetings, sharing sessions in universities and participating in a dragon boat festival.

The Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, conducted a visit to Atlanta from September 10 to 12 (Atlanta time). During the visit, Ms Ho met with Managing Director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development Ms Stella Xu on September 10. Ms Ho provided an update on the latest developments in Hong Kong and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including opportunities to strengthen co-operation in trade, investment and innovation. On September 11, Ms Ho met with the Executive Director of Atlanta’s Mayor Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, Ms Paulina Guzman. Later in the afternoon, she also met with Gainesville Mayor, Mr Zack Thompson, and Tourism Director, Ms Robyn Lynch. Ms Ho expressed her appreciation for the two cities’ continued support and valued partnership.

During her visit, Ms Ho met separately with senior representatives of Georgia’s leading academic institutions, namely Emory University, Georgia State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). The meetings explored opportunities to deepen academic and research collaboration, and expand student exchanges. Ms Ho also met with students at sharing sessions at Emory and Georgia Tech to introduce Hong Kong as a dynamic global business and financial hub. She highlighted the city’s international career opportunities and extensive professional networks. She also outlined Hong Kong’s various talent admission schemes and career pathways available to graduates, researchers and young professionals. Recent graduates from both institutions also took part in the sessions to share first-hand experiences and practical insights on establishing their professional careers in Hong Kong.

Ms Ho concluded her visit on September 12. She officiated at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Lanier Olympic Park. This year’s festival attracted 60 teams and a total of 1 500 paddlers to participate in the races. It also introduced a new All-Cancer Paddler Division, welcoming survivors of all cancer types to compete together in a supportive and empowering environment. In addition, the festival also expanded its cultural and educational programming, celebrating Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage while fostering unity, understanding and community.

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